My name is Karen Heaven Claffey and I am new to WENS and very happy with the give and take of such a networking group.
I just want to touch briefly on my history and encourage you visit my website for a more comprehensive profile
www.karenheaven.com I am a yoga enthusiast and a successful practitioner of a holistic way of living. I was raised by
a mother who believed in these things and instilled her beliefs in meuntil traumatic events in my life led me onto a path
of self-destructive behaviour. As a response to my parents divorce and the break-up of my own engagement, I spiralled out
of control into drugs, alcohol, and depression. I suffered from low self-esteem, devalued myself, and used mood-altering substances
to numb the pain and attempt to escape myself and my situation. This reaction phase of my life lasted some years and took
a severe toll on my health.
At the age of 24, I reached a physical and spiritual crisis. I harkened back to a time when
my mother cured me of a serious illness by a radical change in my diet. I remember the physical wellness I felt when eating
this way and I committed myself to it again. I chose a life based on actions not reactions; a life based on the positive not
the negative. It has made my life over, given me strength, vitality and purpose.
And so I learned, trained and apprenticed.
I devoted myself to study vegan nutrition and natural foods, holistic health, and ways of living an integrated physical, mental
and spiritual life. I then set out on a road to take what I learned and give it back one person, one student at a time.
What I want to do with my life is what I am doing and I understand the monumental privilege of being able to follow my bliss.
I was born to do thisto teach, to guide, to inspire, to encourage and support others in making lifestyle changes.
I am
director of Heaven Studio which offers various types of yoga classes to suit every needAnusara, Ashtanga, Hatha, Prenatal,
Moms and Tots, relaxation, and therapeutic, as well as Pilates and Tai Chi. The goal of my teaching is for each person to
find his or her inner spirituality and translate that into outward strength and flexibility. As well, I am a licensed Naturotherapist
and I teach classes in ayurvedic and macrobiotic cooking and how to implement positive lifestyle changes. At the studio we
also provide healing therapiesmassage, shiatsu and Thai yoga, and rehabilitation therapy of injuries.
Heaven Studio
is moving to a new location in January 2006 and I am very excited about our new space, which will be located at 4800 Boul.
St-Jean in Pierrefonds. We are having a Grand Opening on January 21st with an open house from 9:30 to 6:00 to introduce people
to the various yoga classes we have. Please check out the schedule on our website to see what might interest you and drop
by. I would love to meet you.
